Damn Elf Press

Mother Patience was of two minds. Of course she didn’t want the boy to go wandering off into the wilderness looking for trouble, but the lad did show resolve and a modicum of skill and luck in handling the ghouls of the fen. She lit a candle and quietly prayed for guidance from Eos and that in His mercy, He would protect Beck.

In that regard Mother Patience decided to hire the lad for a small errand to the midlands. She would send a letter to the bishop of St. Hedwig Church in the town of Middlebury requesting the bishop find an acolyte of the Church to travel with Beck and temper his exuberance with wisdom and a moral compass. The holy mother was well respected in the Church of Eos and on good terms with the bishop of Middlebury. This was all she could do for now. At least it would get the lad away from that wizard, Cornwall.

—

Beck and Lugan were glad to be on the road. It was the 2nd week of early spring. He had said goodbye to his mother and the two were able to accompany a caravan of merchant wagons travelling back to the midlands from the keep on the borderlands. Beck was certain that Mother Patience had some reason that involved him regarding the letter. He was glad to have a small job to do and was eager to get on the road.

A merchant was glad to have their company on the trip to Haversham, although they’d have to walk beside the wagons. It was a common practice to travel in larger numbers. The roads still held danger during the day.

Their trip to Haversham took 8 hours due to the slower pace of the wagons. Beck knew that a rider could double his pace on the road. He would certainly look for a mount when he got the chance.

GM note ~ no encounters for the journey.

The weather was cool but not the biting cold of winter and the day was sunny and clear. They arrived at the fortified town of Haversham in the evening and the merchants secured lodgings. Beck and Lugan did likewise at an inn called the Broken Jar. The victuals were good, turtle soup with leeks and cream, and the common room was relatively clean. This was a new experience for Beck to be lodged in the common room of an inn, but Lugan rolled over and promptly began to snore softly. Beck had covered the cost of the room and board for both of them. He could sense that the dwarf was feeling some shame for having to accept this. The sooner that they find some adventure, the better for Lugan, he thought.

The town of Haversham has a population of 1100, a stone wall and a small keep. The Duke of Dent resides here. Dent is one of the northernmost counties of the kingdom; one of two counties in the highlands with Granden Vale being the other.

The morning comes without incident. Beck and Lugan have a simple meal and began their day. [GM note ~ the cost of the room and board was 1sp per person] They take a look at the goods for sale in the merchant stalls. Beck is looking for a longbow, but is not able to find what he likes just yet. Lugan inspects the arms and armor with a keen eye, but says nothing.

“It’s not like dwarven steel, I’m sure,” Beck offers.

Lugan nods and puts a helmet down, “Nor is it my size.”

The two travelers are in luck, for they stumble across a merchant caravan preparing to go southward to Middlebury. Better yet, the merchant is short a few guards and is willing to hire them at 1sp for day. Lugan’s spirits begin to rise at hearing this.

It is another long day of travel. The weather is a bit colder today but the trip is uneventful. About eight hours later, a castle and town comes into view ~ Middlebury.

After receiving their wages, the two adventurers get lodgings at the Forgotten Cow, a cheap inn. The minced pies are good and the ale is fresh. The common room is full of chimney sweeps. Beck and Lugan meet one particular sweep. A scrappy young fellow who is arguing with several other patrons. No fight ensues but the sweep moves over to talk with Beck and Lugan. Seems that the man is looking for a change of occupations. He is growing tired of the work and the soot and the life of a sweep in general. His name is Felix and he originally comes from Isprey-on-the-Sea, the farthest holding to the east. Beck notices the man is missing his right arm at the elbow.

“Pay that no mind. It was a fishing accident that done it. No more fishing for me, I says. I took all me possessions and headed west into the midlands. This here is just a stoppin’ point. Someday I’ll wander down to Careen or head west, maybe even all the way over to Ren Cele…”

Beck doesn’t know why but he offers the young man a chance to join their group. [GM note ~ I rolled reaction to an offer to join…result 7, uncertain.] Beck, Lugan, and Felix talk for awhile. More drinks and food are brought and the offer of joining the adventuring group begins to take shape. [GM note~several uncertain reactions and finally a 10 indicating a positive outcome.] Felix decides to join the group with the terms that they all share equally in any treasure recovered.

The three fellows talk of their experiences until the night grows late. Lugan is still guarded about his time in debtors prison. Felix talks of his boyhood on the eastern coast. Beck tells of his life in Bree and his father’s service in the army. The group disbands. Beck and Lugan take lodgings in the common room of the inn. Felix returns to his poor lodgings in a ramshackle area of the town.

The morning arrives without incident. Beck and Lugan are greeted by Felix. The sweep has all his earthly possessions with him and is eager to be on the road. Felix guides them to the church of St. Hedwig where Beck is to deliver the letter.

Beck and company enter the church and find a clergyman who wrinkles his nose at the troupe of travelers. The clergyman takes the letter and requests for Beck and company to wait outside in the garden.

About twenty minutes later he returns. “His Excellency will see you now. Please have your friends remain here.”

Beck enters a well decorated office. Sunlight streams in through the tall windows. A plump man attired in fine robes sits behind a carved desk. He nods at Beck and points to a seat. The man is reading the letter and pauses to inspect Beck. His eyes show no sign of his thoughts, but his mouth takes a downward turn as he watches the young man.

“How is her holiness? It’s been over a year since I met with her.”

“See is fine, your Excellency. Mother Patience is very well loved in Bree.”

“Yes, I suppose she is. It is a bit too rural for my tastes. How some people manage, living in the wilderness, I’ll never understand. But, yes, as to this letter…the holy mother requests you return to Bree with an acolyte. I have no novice clerics to send along with you, but I do have one special person in mind,” the bishop writes a quick note and seals it with wax. Handing it to Beck he says, “that should conclude our business. Please wait in the garden and someone will be with you shortly. May the light of Eos shine in your life. Good day.”

Beck and the others sit in the garden. While Beck was speaking with the bishop, one of the clerymen gave a stern warning to Lugan and Felix. The next time one of their group is meeting with the bishop, they should all look presentable.

Lugan just ignores the clergyman, but Felix speaks his mind to him. The clergyman mutters an idle threat as he walks away. A little time passes and a young woman enters the garden with another clergyman. “This is one of our most promising novices, all the way from Ren Cele, Novice Odette.”

The men stand up awkwardly. Beck looks surprised, Lugan looks at his shoes, and Felix surprisingly acts respectful.

“Please, gentlemen, do not stand on formality. You can just call me, Odette. His Excellency feels that I need to walk among the flock in the world before I take my final vows. I shall join you on your travels and offer my knowledge and skill as a healer,” she tells them with an accent Beck has never heard before.

“Do you have training in arms and armor?” Beck inquires hopefully.

“No, but I do have a traveling stick. I find it useful to fend off the occasional stray dog or sheep.”

“Sheep,” mutters Lugan.

“Well, Sister, I don’t know if you are the right fit for our adventuring party,” Beck replies. “We’ll need to discuss this and let you know.”

The men excuse themselves and turn to leave. “But, no! I’ve been given instructions by the bishop and will accompany you, to Bree. Give me at least that accord before you deem me unfit for your group. And once again, I am no sister in the Church yet. You may call me Odette…Odette de Reneaux.”

With that, Odette became the fourth member of Beck’s new adventuring party.

More to come…